In Short

A round-up of today's other news stories in brief

A round-up of today's other news stories in brief

Farmers seek water charges compromise

Compromise proposals to avert a row between farmers and local authorities in the west on the installation of water meters have been put forward by the Irish Farmers' Association (IFA), writes Seán MacConnell, Agriculture Correspondent.

It has suggested to Minister for the Environment Dick Roche that farmers receive an allowance of 50,000 gallons, and then pay €3 per 1,000 gallons above that, as well as an annual fee of €50.

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The Department of the Environment's move to meter water has angered farmers, particularly in the west. If farmland is fragmented, it also wants farmers to pay 100 per cent of the installation costs for the first meter, 50 per cent for the second, and 30 per cent for the third.

An IFA spokesman said farmers were not opposed to paying for water, but "there is a major difficulty with the installation of meters because many farms in the west are fragmented".

Man on withholding information charge

A Nigerian man charged with withholding information relating to the murder of a Malawian woman in Kilkenny has pleaded not guilty at Letterkenny Circuit Court, Co Donegal. Chyioke Ezekwem, Clachan Mor, Letterkenny, has denied withholding information about the murder of Paiche Onyemaechi, daughter of the chief justice of Malawi, between July 8th, 2004 and August 19th, 2004. No one has been charged with the murder. Mr Ezekwem was remanded in custody to April 24th.

Pensioner dies in house fire

A pensioner has died following a house fire outside Inver, south Donegal. The fire was reported to the emergency services at 9am yesterday. The cause of the blaze is not believed to be suspicious.

The man, who was in his 80s, lived alone. He has been been named locally as Anthony Joe McDaid.

Gardaí threaten to walk out of station

Some 80 gardaí based in Wexford town Garda station have threatened to walk out in protest at the building's dilapidated condition ahead of Minister for Justice Michael McDowell's visit to Wexford tomorrow to open a renovated Garda station in nearby Oylegate.

"The gardaí have been promised a new building for 25 years," a spokesman for the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors said. The Office of Public Works says it hopes to buy a site by the end of the month.

Man (80) subjected to 'reign of terror'

An 80-year-old man was subjected to "a reign of terror and brutality" by two men and a teenager who came to his isolated home armed with a screwdriver, hammer and golf club, a court has heard. Garry Curran (20), Hillside, Finea, Co Westmeath, was found guilty of assault causing harm, burglary and criminal damage. Paul McGrath (21), Gortloney, Dromone, Oldcastle, Co Meath, pleaded guilty to burglary, as did a 15-year-old who cannot be named for legal reasons. The offences took place at the home of Kieran Garry, Lurganboy, Oldcastle, on July 7th, 2005.

Judge Michael O'Shea jailed Curran for four years, McGrath for three years, and the juvenile received two years' detention.

€800,000 for boy (4) with paralysed arm

A four-year-old boy whose right arm was paralysed after his birth is to receive €800,000 in settlement of his High Court action.

Mr Justice Vivian Lavan yesterday approved the settlement for Michael Staunton who suffered a severe injury when five spinal nerves were damaged. The judge said it was "a perfectly fair and reasonable" settlement.

Michael, through his mother Deirdre Staunton, Stradbrook Grove, Blackrock, Co Dublin, had sued consultant obstetrician Valerie Donnelly, based at Mount Carmel Hospital, Churchtown, Dublin, as a result of injuries suffered at his birth at the hospital.

The case was before the High Court for assessment of damages only and the court heard liability was not an issue.

After the settlement yesterday, Ms Staunton said the family were happy with the outcome.

Bus driver charged over fatal crash

A man has appeared at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court in relation to dangerous driving causing the death of a woman on the Naas Road last year.

Marie Buckley (62) was killed after the private bus which Peter Clarke (36), Jobstown, Tallaght, was driving crashed into a number of vehicles in Bluebell in May 2005.

The court heard Mr Clarke was currently in custody in the Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum.

Suspended term for having drugs

A New Ross man who pleaded guilty to possessing drugs worth almost €250,000 has received a five- year suspended sentence at Wexford Circuit Court. John Power, Bullawn, was convicted of having 35kg of cannabis resin in November 2005 with intent to sell or supply.

Rape trial delayed for lack of judge

The trial of a 25-year-old Donegal man charged with rape, which was scheduled to start yesterday, has been adjourned because no judge or court was available for the hearing.

The man has pleaded not guilty at the Central Criminal Court to anally raping and sexually assaulting a 27-year-old woman in April 2005. The hearing is now scheduled to begin today before Mr Justice Barry White.

Bail for women on drugs charges

Three Cork women who had possession of cannabis resin valued at an estimated €240,000 have been remanded on continuing bail by Judge Donagh McDonagh for sentence pending the outcome of a Supreme Court case.

Vivienne O'Donovan (25), Farrannee, Nicola Duggan (26), Dublin Street, Blackpool, and Niamh Tracey (26), Fairhill Drive, Fairhill, all pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to possession of the drug in March 2005.

€35,000 for having bottle in face

A man who had a broken bottle shoved into his face has been awarded €35,000 damages against a security company. Judge Alan Mahon said Pro Guard, which provided security in the Star pub in Amiens Street, Dublin, had failed to prevent Derek Boylan (26) from being attacked during a St Patrick's night melee in the pub.

Judge Mahon directed that Loganroy Consultants Ltd, which trades as Pro Guard, Leixlip, Co Kildare, foot the €40,000 legal bill.